Just as I pulled up to Twilight's castle a pegasus driven chariot landed on my driver's side.
Looking over I was not surprised to see the flowing mane of Celestia herself. She smiled as I got out and bowed. I wanted at least one princess to know I knew how to greet royalty.
"Rise my new subject," She stood as tall as me, and spoke in a regal tone, "You have more than earned the right to stand tall before me. My sister has told me of you. I must say, I am not disappointed."
Our eyes met as we stood between our vehicles.
"What exactly did she tell you?" I was embarrassed about being talked about.
She just laughed and covered her mouth. "Just that you are a very noble and loyal creature, who is wise beyond his realm. We are honored to have you in Equestria."
"It's nice to be here," I said.
"You do not have to lie for my sake," Her face went soft, her tone more maternal, "surely you miss your home."
"To be honest," I said, "I didn't leave much behind. Just a house I didn't want to live in anymore and a job I wanted to quit."
"Is that so?" she smiled, "in that case, I hope this is a fresh start for you. Do let me know if there is anything I can do for you, and if you do start missing your home, be sure to let us know. We are all happy to lend an ear."
"I will," I assured her, "I bet Twilight is waiting. Shall we?"
---
Lunch was... interesting.
Spike had made an amazing banquet of fruits and veggies with desserts galore. I came to the realization that other than milk and eggs, ponies don't really eat animal products. I was gonna have to get used to beans and peanuts, or suffer protein deficiency. There had to be a better way...
The interesting part was the way Twilight was micromanaging the whole thing. She was clearly nervous about what the princess had to say.
When the time finally came Twilight explained her plan to have me look into the 'odd door' she had found. I realized this was the first time she mentioned it was a door.
Celestia just sat with her eyes closed seeming to contemplate this plan. Twilight was about to bust a blood vessel waiting for her mentor's reaction.
"Well..." Celestia finally said, causing Twilight to nearly jump out of her skin, "I am glad I left you in charge."
Twilight's eyes went wide, "Really?" She asked.
"Yes," Celestia confirmed, "Not only is that a brilliant solution to both situations. I now get to see my own student go on to handle things in her own little part of the land. I am very proud of you."
I thought I was gonna puke. I guess the show didn't exaggerate that relationship too much.
"There is one more thing before I must return to my own duties," Celestia said, "I know you are tired of thank yous, so call it a welcoming gift." She cast a beam of magic from her horn onto the table in front of me. A book appeared with a fire and ice yin-yang on the cover. I seemed to remember drawing a similar picture in high school. Only this one had rays beaming out of it that resembled Celestia's cutie mark.
"Fascinating," Celestia almost gasped.
"What is it?" I asked.
"That is a journal that will allow you to communicate with me whenever you wish simply by writing in the pages," She said.
"That is pretty cool," I said, "May I ask what you find fascinating though?"
"Well," She paused to find the right words, "The picture on the cover is supposed to be a combination of our cutie marks. You not having a cutie mark I expected it to be just my own. So you see. If you had a cutie mark, it would be that picture. Minus the rays which are clearly the influence of my own."
"A fire and ice yin-yang, what does that mean?" I asked.
"I do not know," She said, "I understand that symbol represents balance, and fire and ice are extremes. Beyond that only you can say how it relates to our life."
"Thank you, Celestia," I stood and bowed, "I am honored that you would want to hear from me."
"The honor is all mine," She smiled warmly, "Just be sure to let me know if you need anything. I may be busy but I can send help. Or give advice if that is all that is needed."
"Again," I said, "thank you. I'm sure I'll use it soon."
"I must be on my way now. Important meeting in Canterlot," Celestia nodded in farewell, "Take care of yourselves."
As Celestia walked out I realized Twilight was wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Just staring at the book from across the table.
"You alright, Twilight?" I asked concerned.
"Do you know what this means?" She asked.
"That I can talk to Celestia whenever I want," I said, "Not like you don't have Spike for that."
"Not that," She said, "In fact..." She shot her own magic next to the book and a second appeared, this one had the same yin-yang but was surrounded by 5 stars rather than the solar rays. "I had the same idea, but just like Celestia, I expected the cover to simply show my own mark. This could be the very first case of a non-pony that actually has a designated cutie mark. Even if it's not on your flank. It's not, is it?" She looked down at the table as if to look through it.
"No," I said, "and I'm not showing."
"Geez, humans are so modest," she said, "anyway, magic like this doesn't lie, so if it says that's your mark, that's it. You have a cutie mark! The Crusaders need to know about this! And Pinkie! What theme do you want at your cutecenyera?"
"Whoa, easy there," I said, "Who said I want a cutecenyera?"
She giggled, "If you really saw Pinkie in that show you told me about. You should know better than to think you have a choice."